Fraudulent eBay auction? "Stunning Bell & Howell Apple II Plus, Serial #4217"

[Michael Mann]

Fraudulent eBay auction? "Stunning Bell & Howell Apple II Plus, Serial #4217"

I think I've located a fake Bell & Howell Apple II on eBay. The name of the auction is "Stunning Bell & Howell Apple II Plus, Serial #4217." The only thing stunning is the number of red flags I see in the pictures.

The back is missing the black Bell & Howell label that covers the majority of Apple's normal white "Cupertino...U/L" label. And, under the red 120V sticker, it's missing B&H's additional "For Service Contact Your Bell & Howell Computer Dealer Telephone A/C _ _ _."

Wrong keyboard. This date range should have the old, canted, datanetics DC-50 keyboard with the shiny keys.

Wrong motherboard. For this date range, it should probably be an Rev 07. This is the [later|replacement] motherboard, the 606-X[548]. Its sticker says 1982, which does not coincide with a 4-thousand series B&H, which should be 1980-81-ish.

Wrong power supply, probably. It's an AA1040B (very common for the early '80's) but, for that serial number, I would expect an 'A' (no letter) power supply. And the model # does not look correct.

The NEC RAM chips look to be 1982, which is in accord with the '82 motherboard.

An Apple II in the 4-thousand range probably would not be an RFI motherboard or case (shielding across slots) or RFI cover (the metal lathe across the front). But this is a very late motherboard, an 820-0044-D and the latest B&H motherboard for such a vintage would be a 'C' variant.

Missing foam underneath and around the speaker, and cleanly, too, as if the disintegrated foam circle had been carefully removed.

Wrong screws on the bottom, holding the power supply in. They should be black, pan-head screws instead of steel screws.

This looks like a Bell & Howell case of much higher vintage, probably in the five-digit range, melded with a 4-thousand series Apple II, or using fake labels (they are suspiciously pristine). The price is commensurate with the claim, however: if this truly was a 4-thousand series B&H, in such great shape, $900.00 might not be unreasonable.

Caveat: I could be completely wrong in my assessment. The auction may be perfectly legitimate, and I have no desire to make trouble.

I mention this because it piqued my interest due to all the red flags, and am curious to see if anyone else can verify my observations, add to them, or counter them.

[cb meeks]

It looks like an Apple II+ painted black.

[D Finnigan]

Michael Mann wrote:
>
> The back is missing the black Bell & Howell label that covers the majority
> of Apple's normal white "Cupertino...U/L" label. And, under the red 120V
> sticker, it's missing B&H's additional "For Service Contact Your Bell &
> Howell Computer Dealer Telephone A/C _ _ _."

That service sticker is pasted on the back by the slot cutouts.

> I mention this because it piqued my interest due to all the red flags, and
> am curious to see if anyone else can verify my observations, add to them

Missing Paddle/Game IO sockets on the side opposite the power supply.

Note too that it sold in December for $779 from Nova Scotia, Canada (User:
scifi-man)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Vintage-BELL-amp-HOWELL-Apple-II-Plus-Tested-and-Working-EXCELLENT-/253298666837


I note 2 or 3 other Bell and Howells that have sold recently from Canada on
eBay. Take a look.

--
]DF$
Apple II 40th Anniversary User's Guide:
http://macgui.com/newa2guide/

[Don Schrank]

Yeah, so scifi-man has a new listing for a black apple, near verbatim description, his caveat, "I am not an APPLE guy" seems to fall flat regarding his insight into low serial numbers and the color of the keyboard, the latest has a serial of 481 with the same rev D board.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Vintage-BELL-amp-HOWELL-Apple-II-Plus-Tested-and-Working-EXCELLENT-/253298666837

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Vintage-BELL-HOWELL-Apple-II-Plus-LOW-Serial-000481-CIB/253618760750?hash=item3b0cdb2c2e:g:9HAAAOSwhcNac0j6

[Don Schrank]

> I mention this because it piqued my interest due to all the red flags, and am curious to see if anyone else can verify my observations, add to them, or counter them.

I, too, am interested, very much so in retrospect.
Also, I can answer any and all questions about this particular machine, provide pictures, locate serial/date codes.
I have seen reference to B&H without the game ports, am undecided on that matter.
Had the case been painted, it would have been long ago, noting the dust built up in some corners, and just looks too professional.
The keyboard is indeed the textured variant, is there a cut off date which switched from the glossy keys?
The power supply is the same as in my other 48B with a rev C board and written date code of 8147, though the machine at issue's power supply's serial number is around 9000 earlier, both exhibit the unfinished flat head screws holding the p/s, both replaced?
And the issue of the missing black B&H sticker taken from the black on white Apple serial, is there any branding inside the case which correlates to the B&H serial?
The motherboard at issue I am convinced is not original owing to: "RFI board 820-0044-01/C/D silkscreened visibly on the board, 8111 to
end of production, no memory select blocks, used maybe on very late
Apple II and obviously IIplus." from http://www.techtalkz.com/apple/187741-apple-ii-iiplus-production-dates.html

Can you help me in deciphering this frankenvader? I would greatly appreciate some accurate information.

Thank You and *sigh*

[groink_hi]

The computer missing the rounded game I/O jacks is common on the B&H models. Mine is not only missing this, but it is also missing the power pack. My B&H is virtually an ordinary Apple II Plus. So I wouldn't use these missing items to indicate a fake. A good way to find out if the case was painted is to look at the inside. On the inside back of my B&H, where the cutouts are, the inside case is painted black. It would be white if it was a regular Apple II.

[ritt...@gmail.com]

It seems OK to me. It is just missing some parts...